Things to Do with Kids near me in Lake Buena Vista, FL
Looking for things to do with kids in Lake Buena Vista? This is Walt Disney World country, so the list covers Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, plus Blizzard Beach for hot days and Disney Springs for an evening out without a park ticket.
14 picks ยท Updated October 2026
The ranked list
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- 1
Magic Kingdom Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
The classic first choice for young kids, with Fantasyland, Pirates of the Caribbean and the castle fireworks to close the night.
- Kids
- Family
- Visitor favorite
- Outdoor
- 2
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Kilimanjaro Safaris and the Gorilla Falls trail put live animals front and center, and Pandora's rides suit older kids. It works well for nature-loving families.
- Kids
- Family
- Visitor favorite
- Outdoor
- 3
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Toy Story Land and Galaxy's Edge are the draws for kids, while bigger thrill seekers can try Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
- Kids
- Family
- Visitor favorite
- Near Disney
- 4
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$
On hot days, Tike's Peak gives little ones their own splash area while older kids take on raft rides and the lazy river.
- Kids
- Family
- Outdoor
- Water
- 5
EPCOT
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Better for school-age kids, who can try Test Track and Soarin' and collect experiences across the 11 World Showcase pavilions.
- Family
- Visitor favorite
- Date idea
- Adults
- 6
Disney Springs
Attraction in Walt Disney World
No ticket needed for shopping, live music stages and a helium balloon ride, which makes it an easy evening between park days.
- Family
- Date idea
- Nightlife
- Visitor favorite
- 7
Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long
Entertainment spot in Fort Wilderness
A free nightly campfire gathering at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, with a sing-along led by a guitarist and an appearance by Chip 'n' Dale.
- Kids
- Family
- Near Disney
- Free
- 8
Disney's Fantasia Gardens & Fairways Miniature Golf
Entertainment spot in EPCOT Resort Area, $$
Two 18-hole mini golf courses next to the Walt Disney World Swan hotel.
- Kids
- Family
- Near Disney
- Outdoor
- 9
Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Entertainment spot in Animal Kingdom Resort Area, $$
Holiday-themed mini golf in the Animal Kingdom resort area, with one course dressed as a snowy winter scene and another as a tropical beach Christmas. The two courses come together for the last few holes.
- Kids
- Family
- Near Disney
- Outdoor
- 10
Disney's BoardWalk
Attraction in EPCOT Resort Area
A quarter-mile waterfront promenade of restaurants, shops and nightlife in Disney's EPCOT resort area.
- Kids
- Family
- Near Disney
- Outdoor
- 11
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$
Disney's shipwreck-themed water park, built around a huge wave pool that Disney bills as the largest in North America.
- Kids
- Family
- Water park
- Theme park
- 12
Electrical Water Pageant
Attraction in Magic Kingdom Resort Area
A long-running nighttime procession of lighted floats shaped like glowing sea creatures, set to music, that glides across Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World.
- Kids
- Family
- Near Disney
- Toddlers
- 13
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Entertainment spot in Fort Wilderness, $$$
A long-running Disney dinner show at Pioneer Hall in Fort Wilderness, mixing slapstick comedy, singing and audience participation with a family-style country meal.
- Kids
- Family
- Near Disney
- Indoor
- 14
Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Fort Wilderness
Outdoor activity in Fort Wilderness
The horse ranch at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Visitors can book guided trail rides or carriage rides, while young kids can hop on a walk-up pony ride or a horse-drawn wagon.
- Kids
- Family
- Near Disney
- Toddlers
Choosing a Disney park with kids
For toddlers and preschoolers, Magic Kingdom is the best fit, with the most gentle rides and characters. Animal Kingdom is ideal for animal lovers of any age, and Hollywood Studios suits kids who love Toy Story or Star Wars. EPCOT tends to click with older kids who enjoy science and travel themes.
On a hot summer day, swap a park for Blizzard Beach, which has a separate kids' area. Disney Springs is free to enter and makes a relaxed evening after a park day.
Tips for Disney with kids
Arrive at opening, ride the most popular attractions first and take a midday break at your hotel, especially in summer when afternoon storms roll in. Water parks can close during lightning, so check the forecast. Plan one rest day for every two or three park days with younger kids. Disney Springs makes a good low-key evening on those rest days. Bring refillable water bottles, sunscreen and ponchos, and check height requirements before you promise a ride: thrill rides like Expedition Everest, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Summit Plummet have minimum heights, while Fantasyland and Toy Story Land include options for the smallest riders.
About this list
Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.
This page covers 14 kid-friendly activities in Lake Buena Vista. You'll find them in Walt Disney World, Fort Wilderness, EPCOT Resort Area and Animal Kingdom Resort Area.
Where menus list prices, most of these sit in the $$$$ range, with a handful at $$$.
What comes up again and again on their menus and websites: Walk-up play and Advance tee times by phone.
About Lake Buena Vista
Lake Buena Vista in southwest Orange County is home to Walt Disney World's resorts and Disney Springs, along with nearby hotels and restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
Which Disney park is best for little kids?
Magic Kingdom is the best choice for young children, with classic rides in Fantasyland, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion for braver kids, plus a nighttime parade and fireworks over Cinderella Castle. Animal Kingdom is a strong second for kids who love animals, thanks to Kilimanjaro Safaris and the walking trails.
What can kids do at Disney Springs without a park ticket?
Disney Springs is free to enter and has shopping, lakeside dining and live music on several outdoor stages. Kids also enjoy the helium balloon ride and the LEVEL99 game venue, which have their own fees. It is a good evening activity or a break day between theme park visits.
Is Blizzard Beach good for young kids?
Yes. Alongside thrill slides like Summit Plummet, Blizzard Beach has Tike's Peak, a dedicated splash area for small children, plus the Cross Country Creek lazy river and Melt-Away Bay wave pool. The Teamboat Springs raft ride lets families ride together. Go early on summer days before the afternoon storms.
More lists for Lake Buena Vista
Best Things to Do 15 places Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Date Ideas 8 places Disney Jollywood Nights, EPCOT and Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life
Theme Parks & Water Parks 6 places Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
Family Day Out Ideas 21 places Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Festivals & Annual Events 7 places Disney Jollywood Nights, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
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